VILLAGERS incensed by the loss of their only bus service have started a campaign to replace it.

Yellow Buses number 24 service which runs between Burton and Bournemouth will stop on August 7 as a result of funding cuts by Dorset County Council.

The county needs to save £500,000 on their subsidised public transport this year, and a further £1million in 2017/18.

Since the announcement, villagers have held a meeting to discuss the options, which was organised by residents Phil Coffin and Shona Dunn.

Campaigners say the decision will affect the independence of a significant number of elderly users, with wide-ranging implications for the community as a whole.

Schoolchildren, parents, students and those with disabilities also rely on the service, they say.

Mr Coffin, who is a coach at Burton Youth Football Club, said: "It's yet another example of austerity policies disproportionately affecting the more vulnerable and worse off in the community, and at the same time we have the council announcing potential managerial pay rises. It simply can't go unnoticed anymore."

Petitions have been placed at both shops, pubs and the doctor's surgery, and a Facebook page is available, A Bus for Burton (B4B).

Another resident, Adam Weeks, is also working on a replacement service, and says he hopes to secure a potential deal for a bus and two drivers.

A meeting between the leading campaigners will take place on Monday night to discuss the latest updates.

Yellow Buses say they had "no choice" but to make the changes following the withdrawal of funding.

Writing on the village's Facebook page, Jenni Wilkinson, head of marketing and customer excellence, said she appreciated it was an emotive subject for residents and a difficult situation.

She said legally the service could not run after August 7, as the route had been deregistered.

She added: "We have put many hours into discussions and planning to see if there is a workable solution but without a subsidy this remains unlikely."